Nearly 30 lakh on Lakshmi Bhandar scheme list to miss Annapurna dole: West Bengal CM Suvendu Adhikari

KOLKATA: Nearly 30 lakh beneficiaries of the previous government’s flagship Lakshmir Bhandar scheme will be ineligible for the new government’s Annapurna Yojana, chief minister Suvendu Adhikari said on Wednesday while launching the application form for the new direct benefit transfer (DBT) scheme that will provide financial assistance of Rs 3,000 to women in the state.

Adhikari alleged that many of the beneficiaries under Lakshmir Bhandar were either deceased, bogus voters or individuals whose names had been permanently removed from the electoral rolls.

A part of the Bhartiya Janata Party's (BJP) Sankalp Patra commitments ahead of the assembly polls, Annapurna Yojna doubles the quantum of cash dole offered under Lakshmir Bhandar. The CM assured that the existing Lakshmir Bhandar scheme will continue during the transition phase before being fully integrated into Annapurna Yojana.

Adhikari said the state cabinet, in its first meeting, had decided to convert Lakshmir Bhandar into Annapurna Yojana, making a comprehensive verification drive necessary before implementation.

“Our initial assumption was that the list of Lakshmir Bhandar beneficiaries had already been verified. But we have received numerous complaints. Nearly 30 lakh women whose names have been permanently removed from the voters’ list and who have not approached tribunals are still receiving Lakshmir Bhandar benefits,” he claimed. However, applicants under Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) or those undergoing judicial review under the SIR process will be eligible, he said.

Lakshmir Bhandar currently has 2.2 crore beneficiaries. “Verification has become necessary because even men have been found receiving benefits that are meant exclusively for women,” the CM claimed. CM Adhikari cited the example of one Rakibul Sheikh from Shialmara in Radharghat, Murshidabad, who allegedly receives the dole. Rakibul was arrested shortly after the CM’s comment.

Adhikari said taxpayers, government employees, salaried individuals and pensioners will not be eligible for Annapurna Yojana. Family details will be collected during enrolment and a 30-day door-to-door verification drive conducted across the state. Janakalyan camps will also be organised from June 15-17 to facilitate enrolment and resolve queries related to the scheme.

The application forms will be available both online and offline in Bengali, Hindi and English. The CM urged applicants not to rush, saying that the enrolment process will remain open for 90 days. “BDOs and MLAs need to assist because processing the forms will be a massive exercise,” he said.

Verifies applicants will start receiving Annapurna Yojana benefits from June 1 while those yet to complete verification will continue to receive benefits under Lakshmir Bhandar until their transition to the new scheme is complete, the CM said.

Adhikari also announced that Ayushman Bharat cards will be rolled out by July and till the process is complete, beneficiaries will continue receiving healthcare support under the existing Swasthya Sathi scheme. “We have received a sanction of Rs 976 crore for Ayushman Bharat,” he said.

Free travel for all women in govt buses will also begin from June 1, he added further.Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Bakrid wishes, messages and eid 2026